Got it, I just looked it up, sounds pretty good, I'm going to look into that. Yeah obviously the last thing I want is some jackass hand cranking the shit out of it and turning good homebrew into a foamy mess.

So I would guess in that set up either you dial in the amount of ice in the water or your stout comes out a little on the cold side and hits the right temp after a few min. in the hand?

JCoz wrote:Got it, I just looked it up, sounds pretty good, I'm going to look into that. Yeah obviously the last thing I want is some jackass hand cranking the shit out of it and turning good homebrew into a foamy mess.

So I would guess in that set up either you dial in the amount of ice in the water or your stout comes out a little on the cold side and hits the right temp after a few min. in the hand?

Yep. In fact, when were at Penn State two weeks ago we didn't run the stout through the chiller because the ambient air temperature was perfect for the stout. The Black IPA went through it but we could have honestly done without any cooling. Not always like that of course.

By the way, like a Reese's Cup accident, a mix of the Black IPA and the stout was ridiculously good.

Glad someone saw the Fireside Chat. Delicious...didn't know 21st Amendment made a Christmas Ale...excited because I got to go there while in SF in April...cool place and good beer. The Back in Black IPA is very good as well.

For Christmas Ales/Winter Warmers...I've tried many this year. Here's a quick list of my favorites...

Hard pressed to pick a favorite, but I'd probably go Yuletide Ale. Really smooth, similar to GLBC, but a couple bucks cheaper. Also pissed I missed out on Mad Elf. It all sold out around Cleveland. I did try half a 22 from a gift pack, but need some more next year for a real opinion.

Went to VE in Boardman Saturday w/ the wife and neighbors. We all needed a cab home and Sunday was not pretty. The tap selection was strong.

Salted down far too many, but the Hellhound Ale from Dogfish Head was ah-mazing. I strongly advise you try some. It's a 10% skull buster. Also discovered a brewery I wasn't familiar with called Three Floyds. Nice product.

jb wrote: Also discovered a brewery I wasn't familiar with called Three Floyds. Nice product.

Muenster Indiana, great stuff. It is all over Chicago. Alpha King and Gumballhead are both quite tasty. Alpha King their IPA and Gumballhead is a Pale Wheat Ale. It'd be like pour Holy Moses and Burning River in a glass and drinking them together. Quite different, but quite good.

Black Ops is absolutely worth it. I've had it a number of times and never disappointing. Its expensive (I think $20 for a magnum) but no more outrageous than Sam Adams Infinium, which was also amazing.

FYI - I was allowed into Ballantine's beer cellar in Willoughby and not only got to see some rarities they will have on tap, but was able to purchase a number of select bottles they got from the distributor and aren't available retail. I got a magnum of New Glarus Raspberry Tart, 2 bottles of Two Brothers Bare Tree 2009, an aged bottle of Victory Dark Intrigue (its basically Victory Storm King aged in bourbon barrels), and a super rare Dutch IPA (forget the name). Anyone see that the Wine Vault in Willoughby is going out of business at the end of January? Almost all of their stock is 20%+ off. Make an effort to get there and you can stock up your wine cellar with good product at a huge discount.

"All Beckett needs to do to cap off this mess is order some fried chicken and beer" – 5/10/12 before Beckett got chased in the 3rd at Fenway.

jb wrote:Went to VE in Boardman Saturday w/ the wife and neighbors. We all needed a cab home and Sunday was not pretty. The tap selection was strong.

Salted down far too many, but the Hellhound Ale from Dogfish Head was ah-mazing. I strongly advise you try some. It's a 10% skull buster. Also discovered a brewery I wasn't familiar with called Three Floyds. Nice product.

Awesome, awesome beer. Strong ale brewed with lemon peel or lemon grass and some other stuff. My brother and I shared a bottle a few months back and it was tasty. If you get a chance, try Dogfish Head Theobroma, Pangea, or Palo Santo Marron. Santo Marron is a 12% abv strong dark Brown Ale aged in Paraguayan Palo Santo wood.

"All Beckett needs to do to cap off this mess is order some fried chicken and beer" – 5/10/12 before Beckett got chased in the 3rd at Fenway.

Black Ops is absolutely worth it. I've had it a number of times and never disappointing. Its expensive (I think $20 for a magnum) but no more outrageous than Sam Adams Infinium, which was also amazing.

FYI - I was allowed into Ballantine's beer cellar in Willoughby and not only got to see some rarities they will have on tap, but was able to purchase a number of select bottles they got from the distributor and aren't available retail. I got a magnum of New Glarus Raspberry Tart, 2 bottles of Two Brothers Bare Tree 2009, an aged bottle of Victory Dark Intrigue (its basically Victory Storm King aged in bourbon barrels), and a super rare Dutch IPA (forget the name). Anyone see that the Wine Vault in Willoughby is going out of business at the end of January? Almost all of their stock is 20%+ off. Make an effort to get there and you can stock up your wine cellar with good product at a huge discount.

Appreciate the info as always RNE. I've got the Black Ops on my list as well as a new chocolate milk stout from Terrapin.

Black Ops is absolutely worth it. I've had it a number of times and never disappointing. Its expensive (I think $20 for a magnum) but no more outrageous than Sam Adams Infinium, which was also amazing.

FYI - I was allowed into Ballantine's beer cellar in Willoughby and not only got to see some rarities they will have on tap, but was able to purchase a number of select bottles they got from the distributor and aren't available retail. I got a magnum of New Glarus Raspberry Tart, 2 bottles of Two Brothers Bare Tree 2009, an aged bottle of Victory Dark Intrigue (its basically Victory Storm King aged in bourbon barrels), and a super rare Dutch IPA (forget the name). Anyone see that the Wine Vault in Willoughby is going out of business at the end of January? Almost all of their stock is 20%+ off. Make an effort to get there and you can stock up your wine cellar with good product at a huge discount.

Appreciate the info as always RNE. I've got the Black Ops on my list as well as a new chocolate milk stout from Terrapin.

If you want a great milk stout, look for Southern Tier 2X which was released for the first time a few days before X-mas or Left Hand Milk Stout which IMO is the standard for all milk stouts.

BTW - if you are a fan of dark brews whether its a stout, strong dark ale, or robust porter, I highly suggest you get your hands on barrel aged North Coast Rasputin or Goose Island Big John. Has anyone tried Epic Brewing Big Bad Baptist?

"All Beckett needs to do to cap off this mess is order some fried chicken and beer" – 5/10/12 before Beckett got chased in the 3rd at Fenway.

I've had a bottle of this cooking for about 6 months now. Thinking this summer with blackened redfish or peppercorn steak.

Shit is INSANE unique. Funny thing is, the first bottle I ever had was infected and it was hard to get another one considering the awful taste left on my palette. I ended up folding and trying it a few months later and fell in love. Easily one of my favorite big beers from any brewery.

"All Beckett needs to do to cap off this mess is order some fried chicken and beer" – 5/10/12 before Beckett got chased in the 3rd at Fenway.

jb wrote:Went to VE in Boardman Saturday w/ the wife and neighbors. We all needed a cab home and Sunday was not pretty. The tap selection was strong.

Salted down far too many, but the Hellhound Ale from Dogfish Head was ah-mazing. I strongly advise you try some. It's a 10% skull buster. Also discovered a brewery I wasn't familiar with called Three Floyds. Nice product.

Awesome, awesome beer. Strong ale brewed with lemon peel or lemon grass and some other stuff. My brother and I shared a bottle a few months back and it was tasty. If you get a chance, try Dogfish Head Theobroma, Pangea, or Palo Santo Marron. Santo Marron is a 12% abv strong dark Brown Ale aged in Paraguayan Palo Santo wood.

Will do as long as you promise me Sting won't find me and kick my ass with his yoga.

Black Ops is absolutely worth it. I've had it a number of times and never disappointing. Its expensive (I think $20 for a magnum) but no more outrageous than Sam Adams Infinium, which was also amazing.

FYI - I was allowed into Ballantine's beer cellar in Willoughby and not only got to see some rarities they will have on tap, but was able to purchase a number of select bottles they got from the distributor and aren't available retail. I got a magnum of New Glarus Raspberry Tart, 2 bottles of Two Brothers Bare Tree 2009, an aged bottle of Victory Dark Intrigue (its basically Victory Storm King aged in bourbon barrels), and a super rare Dutch IPA (forget the name). Anyone see that the Wine Vault in Willoughby is going out of business at the end of January? Almost all of their stock is 20%+ off. Make an effort to get there and you can stock up your wine cellar with good product at a huge discount.

Appreciate the info as always RNE. I've got the Black Ops on my list as well as a new chocolate milk stout from Terrapin.

If you want a great milk stout, look for Southern Tier 2X which was released for the first time a few days before X-mas or Left Hand Milk Stout which IMO is the standard for all milk stouts.

BTW - if you are a fan of dark brews whether its a stout, strong dark ale, or robust porter, I highly suggest you get your hands on barrel aged North Coast Rasputin or Goose Island Big John. Has anyone tried Epic Brewing Big Bad Baptist?

I've tried the Left Hand and the Rasputin. I don't believe Goose Island is available down here (Gainesville, FL), so I haven't had the opportunity of trying it yet.

Really enjoyed the Rasputin and I think I saw the Southern Tier 2X on the shelf. I'll have to check it out next time....appreciate the advice as always.

Black Ops is absolutely worth it. I've had it a number of times and never disappointing. Its expensive (I think $20 for a magnum) but no more outrageous than Sam Adams Infinium, which was also amazing.

FYI - I was allowed into Ballantine's beer cellar in Willoughby and not only got to see some rarities they will have on tap, but was able to purchase a number of select bottles they got from the distributor and aren't available retail. I got a magnum of New Glarus Raspberry Tart, 2 bottles of Two Brothers Bare Tree 2009, an aged bottle of Victory Dark Intrigue (its basically Victory Storm King aged in bourbon barrels), and a super rare Dutch IPA (forget the name). Anyone see that the Wine Vault in Willoughby is going out of business at the end of January? Almost all of their stock is 20%+ off. Make an effort to get there and you can stock up your wine cellar with good product at a huge discount.

Appreciate the info as always RNE. I've got the Black Ops on my list as well as a new chocolate milk stout from Terrapin.

If you want a great milk stout, look for Southern Tier 2X which was released for the first time a few days before X-mas or Left Hand Milk Stout which IMO is the standard for all milk stouts.

BTW - if you are a fan of dark brews whether its a stout, strong dark ale, or robust porter, I highly suggest you get your hands on barrel aged North Coast Rasputin or Goose Island Big John. Has anyone tried Epic Brewing Big Bad Baptist?

I've tried the Left Hand and the Rasputin. I don't believe Goose Island is available down here (Gainesville, FL), so I haven't had the opportunity of trying it yet.

Really enjoyed the Rasputin and I think I saw the Southern Tier 2X on the shelf. I'll have to check it out next time....appreciate the advice as always.

I've always been a fan of high ABV beers. Been drinking barleywines and stouts for years. With a lot of breweries producing really interesting big beers aged in barrels that can benefit with some age in the bottle. I've put together a small cellar, or what I can do in an 850 sq ft. 9th floor apartment.

The bottle of Marshall Zhukov on the top shelf is from Cigar City. You should be able to find that in Fla and it is on par with Old Rasputin. If you can find it barrel aged, it is as good as Black Ops, or any of the Goose Island stouts.

This is the best Christmas Ale I've ever had. Beats Corsendonk, Great Lakes, Scaldis, and Anderson Valley. Simply put, the balance of spice and sweetness is perfect. If you don't like the spicier beers like Great Lakes, Avery Hibernation, Southern Tier Pumking or any of those that are heavy on the cinnamon/nutmeg, then this isn't for you. That being said, if you love those beers, this is guaranteed to move to the top of your list.

Also, my sources hooked me up last night. I got the last 4 bottles at a ridiculous discount of $7/magnum (normally $13-$14 per)

"All Beckett needs to do to cap off this mess is order some fried chicken and beer" – 5/10/12 before Beckett got chased in the 3rd at Fenway.

scott wrote:The bottle of Marshall Zhukov on the top shelf is from Cigar City. You should be able to find that in Fla and it is on par with Old Rasputin. If you can find it barrel aged, it is as good as Black Ops, or any of the Goose Island stouts.

Scott, I will be in Orlando for work from Saturday through Tuesday. What beers from Cigar City do you suggest? Ive heard great things about Jai Alai and Zhukov but am curious about the others. Actually, Ill take any advice in terms of beer in Orlando. Read that "Red Light Red Light" is a haven for Belgians, but am looking for more of a loud noisy pub type atmosphere. Can't wait to try Ceviche Tapas bar tomorrow night. Was originally planning on going to Kres Steakhouse or Normans but went to Red on Tuesday and Normans, while the food is probably oustanding, is a bit steep and high brow for the type of night my coworkers and I are looking for.

"All Beckett needs to do to cap off this mess is order some fried chicken and beer" – 5/10/12 before Beckett got chased in the 3rd at Fenway.

scott wrote:The bottle of Marshall Zhukov on the top shelf is from Cigar City. You should be able to find that in Fla and it is on par with Old Rasputin. If you can find it barrel aged, it is as good as Black Ops, or any of the Goose Island stouts.

Scott, I will be in Orlando for work from Saturday through Tuesday. What beers from Cigar City do you suggest? Ive heard great things about Jai Alai and Zhukov but am curious about the others. Actually, Ill take any advice in terms of beer in Orlando. Read that "Red Light Red Light" is a haven for Belgians, but am looking for more of a loud noisy pub type atmosphere. Can't wait to try Ceviche Tapas bar tomorrow night. Was originally planning on going to Kres Steakhouse or Normans but went to Red on Tuesday and Normans, while the food is probably oustanding, is a bit steep and high brow for the type of night my coworkers and I are looking for.

I've heard great things about Red Light Red Light. Great vintage beer menu if you feel like getting something special and dropping some cash. Don't know about the atmosphere, but it is probably a good place to start a night. I was in Orlando for work a few days last Spring and didn't manage to make it here.

Jai Alai is good, so is their Maduro Brown Ale. I can find both in 6-packs regularly. The drug store at the end of my block is carrying Jai Alai right now, but at $14 a six, I can find an IPA I like just as well that is made locally for less. I'm not a hophead, Most good IPAs taste about the same to me.

Probably easy to find both of those on tap in Orlando. Other than that in NYC we get some of the large format beers from Cigar City. Guava Grove seems to elicit strong feelings, beer fans either love it or hate it. I haven't tried it yet. Along with Zhukov they have another RIS called Hunaphu that is nearly impossible to get. The other large formats around right now, Sugar Plum, Winter Warmer and Sea Bass, are not worth chasing down, I hear.

scott wrote:The bottle of Marshall Zhukov on the top shelf is from Cigar City. You should be able to find that in Fla and it is on par with Old Rasputin. If you can find it barrel aged, it is as good as Black Ops, or any of the Goose Island stouts.

Scott, I will be in Orlando for work from Saturday through Tuesday. What beers from Cigar City do you suggest? Ive heard great things about Jai Alai and Zhukov but am curious about the others. Actually, Ill take any advice in terms of beer in Orlando. Read that "Red Light Red Light" is a haven for Belgians, but am looking for more of a loud noisy pub type atmosphere. Can't wait to try Ceviche Tapas bar tomorrow night. Was originally planning on going to Kres Steakhouse or Normans but went to Red on Tuesday and Normans, while the food is probably oustanding, is a bit steep and high brow for the type of night my coworkers and I are looking for.

I've heard great things about Red Light Red Light. Great vintage beer menu if you feel like getting something special and dropping some cash. Don't know about the atmosphere, but it is probably a good place to start a night. I was in Orlando for work a few days last Spring and didn't manage to make it here.

Jai Alai is good, so is their Maduro Brown Ale. I can find both in 6-packs regularly. The drug store at the end of my block is carrying Jai Alai right now, but at $14 a six, I can find an IPA I like just as well that is made locally for less. I'm not a hophead, Most good IPAs taste about the same to me.

Probably easy to find both of those on tap in Orlando. Other than that in NYC we get some of the large format beers from Cigar City. Guava Grove seems to elicit strong feelings, beer fans either love it or hate it. I haven't tried it yet. Along with Zhukov they have another RIS called Hunaphu that is nearly impossible to get. The other large formats around right now, Sugar Plum, Winter Warmer and Sea Bass, are not worth chasing down, I hear.

I live in Gainesville, FL and I agree on the Jai Alai and Maduro Brown, although they are cheaper up here at 9.99 on the Jai Alai and 8.99 on the Maduro per 6.

The only other Cigar City brew I've tried is the Good Gourd that is out in the fall. It was pretty solid as well although I prefer some other "pumpkin" styled brews over it (pumking ale and the Dogfish punkin ale).

Let me know if you try the Guava Grove. I've seen it on the shelves but have yet to give it a shot and don't know of anyone that has.

Though X-Mas Ale gets all the pub, Conway's is my favorite seasonal from GLBC, with Oktoberfest coming in at a close second. Started working on the 1st sixer of the year yesterday of Conway's and there's a reason that it's one of GLBC's award winners year after year.

For those of you who like Witbiers/White Ales and Wheats, this is a very strange take on the style. Almost too sweet, tons of sweeter citrus but not quite lemony. I can't put my finger on it but the citrus is almost a mix of orange/lemon/starfruit. Decent amount of sediment gives a good Belgian funk to it but not overbearing. I would reserve drinking this in the summer as its quite refreshing. I was happy to see Lost Coast out of Eureka, CA started shipping to OH because they get good reviews and make rather unique beers not unlike 3 Floyds. If you have a chance to try Lost Coast Winterbraun, do so as its a great chocolate/winter warmer mix although its considered an English brown ale.

"All Beckett needs to do to cap off this mess is order some fried chicken and beer" – 5/10/12 before Beckett got chased in the 3rd at Fenway.

scott wrote:Breakfast Stout is great beer. The Victory at Sea is an imperial porter with vanilla and coffee added. The first sip was delicious. By the end of a 22 oz bottle it was to much. Never get tired of FBS.

If you like FBS, I cannot suggest Speedway Stout by Alesmith (San Diego) enough. Brewed with Kona beans its on par with FBS in terms of pure deliciousness/drinkability.

"All Beckett needs to do to cap off this mess is order some fried chicken and beer" – 5/10/12 before Beckett got chased in the 3rd at Fenway.

Just had one of these that has been cooking for 6 months. Mellowed the flavor, brought out the maple undertones. Kept mine in the fridge, I've got a friend that kept his around 60*. Interested to compare notes.